MFA THESIS SHOW
EVENT DETAILS
The theme is pulled from a classic
choreographic improvisation "comfort zone"
where the dancer is invited to imagine themselves in
"a safety zone, a circle of about two feet in
diameter. It might be a place of fun, whereas the outside
area is one of drudgery, or the place is a relaxation
area whereas outside there is tension. But you are allowed
to stay there only five to ten seconds and then you
must leave. It is a place to recharge..." (Chaplin/Blom,
The Intimate Act of Choreography)
The virtual environment
You will find yourselves in a seductive but uncomfortable
space in which you stumble onto letters that cry out
their phonetic sound; they pop like bubbles and fade
back in. Imagine yourselves in a damp place, a dream
where you are trying to speak but you can't make a word
happen. By chance you may spell out a word but you will
battle the space delicately, tempted by colorful and
playful letterforms that carry with them a hint of another
place. Your movement affects the aural environment.
If you touch or get touched by one of the color letterforms
you will be enclosed, carried and protected for a brief
moment listening to familiar instruments. You may find
yourself in and out of both spaces many times, by chance
or by intention you will seek your comfort zone and
you will find it in a different place everytime.
CAVE simulator
snapshots
Floating phonemes
simulating the bluish glow of white under UV light
red and purple
animation running together
in the Red
(A letterform) animation
World view
from the top
The physical stage
The staging area includes a custom designed floor that
fluoresces under UV light and a passive-stereo (C-Wall)
wall showing the virtual environment. The stage can
accomodate one to two people at a time so scheduling
will alternate between professional dancers performing
and visitors. The stage will be videotaped at all times
and broadcast to the waiting room area. There is no
assigned seating to watch the performances. Visitors
will be accomodated on a first-come basis. Dancers/performers
will be wearing fluorescent costume additions to be
visible to the tracking system.
fragment of floor pattern
The waiting room
Visitors can enjoy the performance without being in
front of the stage by viewing a projection (Geowall)
of the virtual environment featuring an avatar of the
performer. They can alse watch a live video feed being
broadcast to the AccessGrid from the stage and can also
see a small archive of previous performances on plasma
screens.
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